aloha staycation: sanuk shoes

 The Accessorized Walnut
Mar 142012
 

Before kids, I used to set aside money every week for a trip to Hawaii. After my weekly grocery store run, I’d put aside money saved from all the coupons I had used and kept a running tab of all my earnings on an index card affixed to the fridge. (Mind you, this was way before extreme couponing became a trend.) Any time I had a bad day, one look at that card told me I was that much closer to doing the hula while sipping some tropical concoction out of a coconut shell. Well, it’s nearly 8 years later and I’ve yet to make it to the Big Island, or any island for that matter. I’ve since traded in my coupon earnings for college savings, but that doesn’t mean I still can’t dream a little dream. Aside from slathering my skin with coconut lime lotion from Bath & Body Works, I’ve yet to complete my Hawaiian transcendence. Lucky for me, we seemed to have been blessed with an early spring and that means summer can’t be too far off. What a perfect excuse to sport a new pair of stylish shoes from Sanuk. Their Standard Get Lei’d features a vintage print reminiscent of a Hawaiian shirt that has seen its fair share of luaus. We think it’s the perfect refresher for a tired winter wardrobe–and for any mom who’s been dreaming of a trip to the land where palm trees sway.

In a Nutshell: If you can’t make it to Hawaii, then these shoes will bring a taste of the islands to your tired tootsies.

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undercover mom: bella tunno bucket bag

 Diapering for Walnuts, The Accessorized Walnut
Mar 132012
 

What does your handbag say about you? If you’re a mom, the contents of your purse may reveal more about your day-to-day routine than you’d care to admit: a broken Crayon here, a stray Goldfish there. Let’s face it: As much as we love our kids, it’s nice (and important!) to look and feel like our former selves, right down to our accessories. It’s why we’re thinking the Bucket Bag, from the Bella Tunno Signature Collection Diaper Bags, will be a hit for new moms. Their fashion statement alone is enough to convince us we’re hiding under there, beneath those baby wipes and Cheerios. Besides being attractive, these bags are extremely versatile, featuring removable stroller straps, a wipe-clean exterior and interior and hidden changing pad. We love the monogrammed accent–a perfect touch that proclaims the real you–and that doesn’t scream “Mom” (unless, of course, your name starts with ‘M.’) So if you know a woman who recently ditched her Prada for a pram, treat her to an accessory she’s sure to relish. And it doesn’t hurt to offer to babysit, either.

In a Nutshell: Let the woman in hiding come out! These ultra-hip designer diaper bags will reinvigorate your sense of style, b.k. (before kids), and make a welcome update to your spring wardrobe.

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time is on your side: zazoo photo clock

 The Accessorized Walnut, The Furnished Walnut
Mar 072012
 

Earlier this week, The Talking Walnut reviewed the BabyZoo Sleep Trainer and knew we were on to something! Since our last post, another ingenious teaching  device designed to keep kids in their beds past an ungodly hour has crossed our path…and this one offers a personal touch. The Zazoo Photo Clock features a variety of telltale images that you and your child can choose to distinguish daytime from nighttime. The choices range from basic sun and moon for preschoolers, to more entertaining options for older kids like robots and dinosaurs awake and asleep . Once you’ve selected your favorite day/night pairing and set your clock to the correct time, you’re good to go (to sleep, that is). At a simple glance, even the sleepiest of heads will be able to discern whether or not they should stay in bed. Still struggling with a restless resident? Make this clock truly their own by customizing it with a wake-up greeting featuring your child’s name. We like the fact that even after your child has outgrown the desire to pry you out from under your covers, this clever clock still comes in handy as a digital picture frame for the me-centric tween. Looking back at all those photos will have you remembering those days when your kid woke you up at 6 a.m. on Saturday morning. And you wonder where all those age lines come from?…

In a Nutshell: Putting your kid to bed is easy; it’s getting her to stay put that’s the hard part. With the Zazoo Photo Clock, don’t be surprised if her door doesn’t open quite so early this weekend.

 

 

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retro recycling: alex juice tab jewelry

 The Accessorized Walnut, The Playful Walnut
Feb 282012
 

Nearly every Monday morning, my day begins with a pop. Opening up a new container of O.J.  for my family’s breakfast involves fussing with that pesky juice tab–and some careful manipulation. If I don’t watch out, I’m liable to splash juice all over the kitchen counter, not to mention me! What exactly are these pull tabs good for, anyway? I finally got my answer when I saw the new Juice Tab Jewelry line from ALEX at Toy Fair earlier this month. These otherwise impractical do-dads have been fashioned into the latest crafting accessory for girls ages 6+. You’ll recognize the telltale tween icons in the button holes–from peace signs and hearts, to flowers and stars–and they couldn’t be any easier to put together. Just pull down the tab’s ring, fit it through another juice tab and so on and so on. You’ll have made a colorful bracelet faster than you can say “peace love world.”  Each set comes with 12 tabs and is available in a variety of citrus-inspired collections, like Tropical Zest, Wild & Fruity and Berry Blast. This is not only a great rainy day activity, but an ideal birthday party ice-breaker (the Party Punch set comes with 48 tabs). Besides, we think it’s a much more amusing way to put those O.J. tabs to good use.

In a Nutshell: We got the juice! Juice Tab Jewelry provides 100% of your kid’s daily serving of playtime.

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weekly wardrobe: petites frites bibs

 Feeding the Little Walnuts, The Accessorized Walnut, The Green Walnut
Jan 262012
 

When my older daughter was born, I received a gift of seven bibs, each one embroidered with a different day of the week. An adorable concept…if only the bibs hadn’t been white. Once she grew and moved on to solid foods, it wasn’t long before those beautiful bibs were permanently stained with mashed peas and peach puree. The “Friday” bib looked more like “Fdy,” while “Sunday” became just plain old “day.” (Easy for a sleep-deprived mom to figure out which bib to wear, but somehow I don’t think that was the point…) That’s why we can appreciate the Day-of-the-Week Bib Set from Petites Frites, a collection that is as pleasing to the eye as it is to the touch. Made from an ultra-soft, two-ply cotton blend and colored with baby-friendly dyes, these bibs come in two assortments–rainbow and cornwall–and are awash in a eye-popping palette that will stand up to spit-up, strained peas and everything in between. We’re especially fond of the mood monikers, a different one reserved for each day of the week. We can relate to “Foggy Friday,” and are optimistic for a “Sunday Funday.”

In a Nutshell: Pack a little punch into your baby’s mealtime routine with a variety of bibs that will get you through all those round-the-clock feedings.

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undercover ugly: uglydoll umbrellas

 Gear for Baby Walnuts, The Accessorized Walnut, The Playful Walnut
Jan 122012
 

It’s an ugly day out there, in more ways than one. You know the kind of day we’re talking about: the one where you wake up and it’s so dark outside, you’re convinced your alarm clock is mistaken. You open the curtains to discover it’s raining cats and dogs, and you still must make it to the bus stop. Yeah, we know the feeling. That’s why we can’t help but smile at the little things that make our day: a hug from a child, a hot cup of tea and a unique umbrella that will turn any frown upside down. We recently raved about the latest Uglydoll, even going so far as to dub him Man of the Year, and now we’re tipping our hats to a trio of kid-sized Uglydoll umbrellas that bring some much-needed sunshine to our faces. Styled in either Ice-bat, Ox or the simply put Uglydoll Rainy Day, this rain gear accessory is an entertaining way to ward off the bad weather blues, and keep you dry. We’ll raise our cup of tea to that.

In a Nutshell: If into each life a little rain must fall, then let it be ugly. These fetching umbrellas have us singin’ in the rain…

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let the music play

 The Accessorized Walnut, The Playful Walnut
Jan 062012
 

What kid doesn’t love music? Even from an early age, young children benefit from its calming effects and as they grow, they learn about the powerful influence of rhythm, melody and harmony on the sounds they make. My girls are fortunate enough to be exposed to music both in the classroom and at home, but everyone is not so lucky. Because of massive cuts in education budgets across the country, often the first thing to disappear from curriculum is the arts. If you’re one who can’t live without your iPod, imagine the thousands of children who may not be able to experience the timbre of timpani or the harmony produced by dueling harmonicas. Because no child should be deprived of such sounds, we feel the need to wear our heart on our sleeves–literally-and profess our passion for music education. To this end, our friends at SlickSugar have partnered with non-profit Little Kids Rock to create a special edition children’s T-shirt whose proceeds go to benefit underfunded public schools. The cotton tees for boys and girls sizes 6 months-5/6 feature a guitar and little bird singing around the Little Kids Rock slogan, “Keep the Music Alive.” We think it’s a great way to make a statement, both fashionably and politically.

In a Nutshell: Music shouldn’t be sacrificed at our kids’ expense. Help keep future generations schooled in reading, writing, ‘rithmetic and rhythm with these rock-ready tees.

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sweet tooth slumber: baby bunch PJs

 The Accessorized Walnut, The Furnished Walnut
Jan 032012
 

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Like most moms, I’m debating between less snacking and more sleep. Guess which one inevitably wins outs? I never realized how crucial good sleep was until I had kids. I can’t blame my lack of shut-eye on 3 a.m. feedings anymore, and I haven’t quite gotten to the one-eye open until a car pulls into the driveway (the teen years are still a decade away). No, I’m more inclined to lay awake and listen to a lone cough echoing from one bedroom and the rumblings of a bad dream from another. Maybe my craving for more zzzz’s is why I invest so much in comfy PJs for both myself and my kids. If you’re thinking of an innovative gift for a new mom friend, how about a standing offer to watch Junior for a couple of hours, so Mom can get some much-needed rest, along with a delightful sleep ensemble for her little one? The Baby Bunch’s PJ Cupcakes are especially sweet for either a toddler boy or girl. These 100-percent cotton jammies are available in pink or blue two-piece sets and come in a whimsical gift box. Yes, good things do come in small packages. And lucky for Mom, these cupcakes are sugar-free.

In a Nutshell: Every kid looks cute in their PJs–even a trying toddler. Pick up a pair of these jammies and sweeten the deal with an offer to watch your mom friend’s little one for an afternoon. Now that’s a real BFF.

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sweet smells of christmas: santa poo-pourri

 The Accessorized Walnut, The Furnished Walnut
Dec 162011
 

Ah, the wonderful scents of the season are upon us! The gingerbread cookies baking in the oven, the freshly cut Christmas tree’s boughs of pine…and that god-awful smell coming from the guest bathroom (just kidding). If your home is about to be descended upon by a barrage of family and friends this holiday season, you’ll want to freshen up the facilities with a festive scent. Poo~Pourri Santa bathroom freshener is an amusing and surprisingly effective way to keep your powder room smelling more like powder than anything else. A pleasing combination of citrus and evergreen, this spray puts the kibosh any unpleasant odors with a simple spritz. If you’ll be Christmasing at someone else’s home this year, consider the Santa Poo~Pourri Toilet Paper Giftset as an unconventional hostess gift. Now, you won’t have to blame it on the dog anymore.

In a Nutshell: The nose knows: Stinky bathrooms take the joy out of holiday merrymaking. One spray of this stuff and you’ll wish it were Christmas every day.

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big apple bundle-up: maclaren buggy blanket

 Gear for Baby Walnuts, The Accessorized Walnut, The Traveling Walnuts
Dec 132011
 

Baby, it’s cold outside…In the next couple of weeks, we’ll be taking in the sights and sounds of the season–and that means dressing for the weather. A huge fan of layers, I always seem to outfit my kids as though they are headed to the tundra instead of suburbia. But regardless of whether you’ll be strolling city streets or hiking through the hills, if you’ve got a little one in tow, that extra layer of warmth will come in handy. This winter, we’ve got our eye on Maclaren’s buggy blankets. These ultra plush, generously sized throws are a love letter to the cityscapes in which they are detailed. From London to Sydney, New York to Paris, each reversible blanket features a detailed map of four of our favorite capital cities that make us feel as refined as these throws are sophisticated. Not only do they keep your baby well-covered as she traverses the globe, but their lively layout may just keep her preoccupied while waiting in line at Macy’s holiday windows. Our favorite, of course, is the NYC blanket, with its  flip side paying homage to Lady Liberty. NY may be the city that never sleeps, but maybe tucked inside this snuggly stroller blanket, your baby will give you the greatest gift of the holiday season: some shut-eye. Happy Holidays, and to all a good night!

In a Nutshell: Who says a baby blanket can’t make a fashion statement? This stylish one looks and feels great when you’re out on the town.

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